MONTREAL — National Hockey League Players' Association president Alan Eagleson confirmed here Tuesday night that more under-age juniors will sign with the World Hockey Association.
Eagleson now feels it's essential his under-age clients maintain credibility in the wake of WHA Indianapolis Racers signing Soo Greyhounds sensation Wayne Gretzky, 17, to a reported seven-year, $ 1.75-million contract.
“I expect Pat Riggin and Rob Rammage from London will sign with the WHA along with that fellow in the Soo (defenceman Craig Hartsburg) and a few others,” he said.
The few others are rumored to be Mike Gartner of Niagara Falls, Gaston Gingras of Hamilton Fincups and perhaps Yvan Joly of Ottawa 67's. Joly denied last night that he has had any talks with WHA teams.
“In the past. I've always steered my clients into finishing their junior hockey careers and waiting for the NHL draft,” he explained. “But, there's a few junior operators I don't trust anymore.
“Now they (the junior operators) are coming to me and asking me to do something to stop the WHA,” said Eagleson, here for the NHL draft Thursday. “I agree something has to be done, but not at the expense of my clients.”
Montreal agent Norm Caplan and partner Art Kaminsky claim they haven't been approached by the WHA for underage players — yet.
“We're not actively pursuing that,” Kaminsky said. “We never expect the NHL to sign any and have no plans for our own clients.”
Caplan and Kaminsky are working on behalf of Ottawa graduates Bobby Smith — who will go to Minnesota North Stars as the No. 1 pick — and Tim Higgins.
Higgins will also go in the first round between fourth and eighth.
They didn't rule out the possibility of the WHA out-bidding the NHL for both players. Smith recently turned down a $1.25 US-million offer with New England Whalers and Higgins is sitting on a $600,000 offer.
Ottawa coach Brian Kilrea doesn't feel he'll lose any players in the WHA raid — expected to be the biggest since 1974.
“I've talked with Ed Hospodar and Billy Fox and both have indicated to me they are willing to play it out,” he said. “Smith maintains he had a better year by waiting.”
By Jordan Juby Citizen staff writer